New Delhi: For the first time in nearly 50 years, India hosted the prestigious 48th Annual Conference on Oceans Law & Policy (COLP48) in New Delhi from 9-12 September 2025. The conference, held under the theme “Developing World Approaches to Ocean Governance: Perspectives from the Indian Ocean Rim,” brought together eminent delegates including scholars, policymakers, maritime experts, and sustainability advocates from around the globe. This event marked a milestone in India’s strengthened role in global ocean governance.
Keynote Address: Indian Ocean’s Unparalleled Global Significance
Dr. M. Ravichandran, Secretary, Ministry of Earth Sciences, delivered the keynote address emphasizing the Indian Ocean’s critical role in global climate regulation, biodiversity conservation, livelihoods sustenance, and serving as a vital corridor for international trade and security. He cautioned about mounting regional threats such as climate change, sea-level rise, ocean acidification, declining marine productivity, and intensifying cyclonic activity, necessitating urgent attention and collective action.
Five Priority Areas for Sustainable Ocean Governance
Dr. Ravichandran articulated five thematic priorities from the developing world perspective:
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Sustainable Fisheries and Mariculture: Ensuring livelihoods and food security through responsible marine resource management.
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Regional Cooperation: Strengthening South-South collaboration among Indian Ocean Rim nations anchored in solidarity.
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Integration of Traditional Knowledge: Combining community-based governance with scientific research for inclusive policy making.
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Climate Resilience and Biodiversity Conservation: Implementing ecosystem-based approaches to protect marine biodiversity.
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Innovative Finance and Capacity Building: Mobilizing funds and advancing research, technology, and governance frameworks in ocean science.
Urgency of Exploration and International Cooperation
Noting that despite oceans covering 70% of the Earth, only 5% has been fully explored, Dr. Ravichandran stressed the need for enhanced ocean research networks and the active engagement of Indian Ocean states in key global governance forums like UNCLOS, the International Seabed Authority, and the BBNJ Agreement. The Indian Ocean’s unique characteristics, including biannual current reversals and lack of a northern outlet causing accelerated warming, further heighten the imperative for evidence-based, forward-looking policies.
Vision for a Resilient and Productive Indian Ocean
Dr. Ravichandran underscored the Indian Ocean as central to India’s future in food, water, energy, climate resilience, and security. He called for robust marine spatial planning, hazard mitigation, indigenous technology deployment, and sustainable exploitation of ocean resources such as renewable energies and critical minerals. The vision champions a clean, healthy, resilient, and productive ocean as a global necessity, achievable only through collaborative governance and shared responsibility to sustain future generations.
Conference Organization and Global Partners
COLP48 was organized by Gujarat Maritime University in partnership with the Stockton Center for International Law, U.S. Naval War College, and participation from renowned global institutions such as the World Maritime University, Korea Maritime Institute, Japan Institute of International Affairs, National Maritime Foundation, University of Copenhagen, and IMO International Maritime Law Institute. The Conference combined technical sessions, policy dialogues, and practitioner-led panels focusing on maritime security, seabed resources, climate change, maritime law innovations, and emerging technologies in ocean governance.
Conclusion
COLP48 firmly positioned India as a leader in framing sustainable ocean governance with an inclusive approach that respects the developmental priorities of the Global South. Dr. Ravichandran’s address illuminated the strategic, environmental, and socio-economic imperatives tied to the Indian Ocean, reinforcing the urgency of multi-national cooperation and informed policymaking to safeguard this vital ecosystem.
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Source: PIB
